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The Rise of Islam 600-1200. Arabian Peninsula Before Muhammad. Most Arabs Settled / Nomads a minority Caravan cities caused interaction between Byzantine / Sasanid Empires & Ethiopia Nomadic Religion = Polytheistic Familiar with Judaism, Christianity & Zoroast. Mecca = Caravan City
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Arabian Peninsula Before Muhammad • Most Arabs Settled / Nomads a minority • Caravan cities caused interaction between Byzantine / Sasanid Empires & Ethiopia • Nomadic Religion = Polytheistic • Familiar with Judaism, Christianity & Zoroast. • Mecca = Caravan City • Between Yemen & Syria • Ka’ba = Cubical Shrine w/idols inside
Muhammad & Foundation of Islam • Orphan born in Mecca • Became involved in the caravan trade • The ‘Final Prophet’ • In 610CE received revelations (1 God = Allah) • Submission = Salvation • 622 fled to Medina / Formed a single community of believers (umma) • The Succession of the Caliph • Abu Bakr (Father-in-law) • Goals = Standardization: 5 Pillars & Creation of an Islamic State • Civil War over 3rd Caliphate = 3 Rival Sects • Sunni’s= Abu Bakr • Shi’ites=Ali (Muhammad’s son-in-law & 1st cousin) • Kharijite (Militant followers of Ali)
The Rise & Fall of the Caliphate 632-1258 • Period of Islamic Conquests 634-711 • Possible reasons: Religious fanaticism, weakness of enemies, talent of Muslim leaders, structure of Arab Society • Umayyad & Abbasid Caliphates 661-850 • Arab Empire (not a Muslim Empire), ruled from Damascus, Syria • Umayyad Overthrown 750 w/ help of Shi’ites • Abbasid Caliphate 750-1258 (family of Abbas, Muhammad’s cousin) • Cultural Center of Baghdad, Golden Age of literature & science. Non-Arab conversion in cosmopolitan centers. • Political Fragmentation 850-1050 (Mamluks grew in power), too diverse of a region to hold under Arab rule as Islam spread. • Attacks = Christian Crusades, Turkish & Mongol Invasions (Mongols killed final Caliph in 1258)
Islamic Civilization • Islamic Law = Shari’a • Based on collections of reports known as Hadith • Conversion & Urbanization were related • Achievements in Medicine & Astronomy • Women • Veiled & secluded though could be influencial • Only slave women could be in public unchaperoned • Rights under Islamic Law • Right to inherit & own prop. • Right to divorce • Right to remarry • Testify in Court / Pilgrimage • Supposed to live as Khadija & Fatima (Muhammad’s 1st wife & daughter)